Electron-discharge device



Jul 19 192 y 7 w. G. HOUSKEEPER ELECTRON `DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed sept. 22.- 1922 Patented July 19, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM G. HOUSKEEPER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIG'NORTO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF YORK.

Application led September 22, 1922. Serial No. 589,734. n

This invention relates to electron discharge devices and especially to vacuum tubes in which the anode comprises a pair of plates through the medium of which are supported the other electrodes.

In vacuum tubes of this character, the anode plates are supported at one endfrom the stem and it has been customary to interpose between the other ends of the plates, a metallic nest. which serves as a means for connecting and spacing the plates. In the nest is arranged a block of insulating material from which the cathode and control electrode are supported.

An object of this invention is to utilize the insulating block as lthe sole means for connecting and spacing the unsupported ends of the anode plates.

Another object of the invention is a simple and etlicient means for attaching the lilament supports to the insulating block.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the insulating block as a guide for the control electrode whereby it may expand and contract without changing its space relation.

Another object of the invention is a threeelectrode vacuum tube which is simple in structure, easy to manufacture, and of extremely rugged construction.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective View, partly broken away, of a'tube constructed in accordance with the invention. A

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailview.

Fig. 3 is a detail of the supporting collar.

The device comprises a glass envelope 10 into which projects a stem 11. Encircling the stem 11 is a metallic collar 12, which consists of a pair of semi-circular bands joined together at their ends. Integral'with each of the bands and extending toward the center of the tube is a support 13, which carries an anode .plate 14. A strengthenn. ing corrugation 15 extends along each support 13 and plate 14 and terminates in a tube 16, which projects beyond the upper edge of the plate.

A link 25 extends across the lower portion of each corrugation 15 and has its ends hooked into the collar to prevent the spreading of the corrugation when the collar is being forced over the stem 11. The tubes 16 pass through apertures in a block of insulating material 17, which rests upon the diicultto mould holes upper edges of the plates 14, and the ends of the tubes are flattened by cutting off the lexcess length and thus hold the block in position.

Near the center of the block 17 is an elongated aperture through whicli extend the Shanks of the filament supporting. hooks 18. The ends of the shanks are arranged in holes through the insulating block 17 near the opposite ends of the elongated aperture and each shank is provided with a crimp 19, which frictionally engages the Wall ofthe hole to attach the hook to thei block. The shank of each hook extends vertically` a slight distance above the, blockl at which point it is bent to ahorizontal position to project over the elongated aperture where it is again bent downwardly to locate the hook in position to support the lament. At the bend 2() the material ofthe hook is flat-tened to increaseits resiliency and also to provide a shoulder to limit the depth t0 which the crimp may be inserted. The fila- ,supported from the stem 11 by wires sealed in the stem. This arrangement steadies the inner end of the grid and allows the expansion and contraction of the grid without a change in the space relation between it and the cathode and anode.

The insulating block 17- is preferably composed of a material of very low vapor pressure, such, for example, as porcelain or' a form of steatite commercially known as lavite. Of these two materials, porcelam is referable in that the cost thereof is mater1ally less than lavite. The method of attaching the filament supports 18 to the insulating block is of particular value when porcelain is used for the block 17, as 1t 1s in porcelain to close limits. The crimp 19 in the filament support-compensates for variations 1n the s1ze of the holes so that each support will be firmly held in place. -iIn assembling the hooks 18 with the block 17, the shank of the hook may be of some length beyond the crimp 19, whereby it may be assed into the hole and punte through mm1 the shouiderl 1. An electron discharge devicecornpris-- ing an'electrode, a block of porcelain supported thereby, a second electrode, supports for said second electrode passing through apertures in said insulatingblockl and- 10 crimps in the portions of said supports arranged in the aperturespf said block whereby the supports are frictionally lattached to said block.

2. An electron discharge device compris- 15 ing a stem, a pair of .abode lates supported "b v said stem, a longitudina corrugation in each of said ,plates terminating in a stud projecting beyond the edge of the plate, an insulating block having apertures through 2 which said studs extend. and a second electrode .supported by said block.

3. An electron discharge device comprising aninsulating block having an elongated a erture, resilient members mounted in said b ock at either end thereof and.- passing throu h said aperture, and a filament supportedr by said members.

44. VAn electron discharge device comprising` a vessel having-a stern, a collar encircling said stern, lelectrode supports extending from said collar, each of said supports having a strengthening,corrugatiom and a link extending across the open end of Said corrugation and connected to the collar at either side thereof. 4

5. An electron discharge device comprising a vessel havinga stem,- a collar encircling said stem. electrode supports extending from said collar. each of said supports having a strengthening corrugation, and means to prevent expansion of said strengthening corrugation. v

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 20th dayof September D.,

e WILLIAM GHOUSKEEPER. 

